The Necessity of Suffering

I'll attempt to return to the discussion of "fairness" on Thursday, but for today I'm going to continue my pattern of sharing with you something from my own reading and a prayer that I found meaningful.

"There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering," states D. A. Carson in his book How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil. He goes on to quote Hebrews 5:7-9 which reads,

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."

Carson continues, "The idea is not that Jesus was disobedient before he suffered, but that in his incarnate state he too had to learn lessons of obedience, levels of obedience, that could only be attained through suffering. In this sense he grew to "perfection" not that he was morally imperfect before his sufferings, but that the fullness, the perfection of his identity with the human race and of his human, temporal obedience to his heavenly Father could be attained only through the fires of suffering. This 'perfection' he achieved, not only with the result that 'he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,' but also with the result that he is able 'to sympathize with our weaknesses' since 'he has been tempted in ever way, just as we are--yet he did not sin' (Heb. 4:15). If even Jesus 'learned obedience from what he suffered,' what ghastly misapprehension is it--or arrogance!-- that assumes we should be exempt?"

Some lessons can only be learned through suffering…hmmm. As Josh Mann said in his exceptional message this weekend at Salem Alliance, "There is one thing people in heaven will have in common: scars."

This leads me to today's prayer. It was written in about 1916 by Rev. Frederick D. Kershner of Des Moines, Iowa. I'd encourage you to read it once and then pray it along with me.

"And as thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deut. 33:25).

"O Lord, our ever blessed and ever loving Father, we thank Thee for Thy watchful providence in the past and for the promise of Thy guidance in the days to come. As dew unto the withered flower and rain unto the parched grass, so is the knowledge of Thy presence and the assurance of Thy blessing to the weary human heart.

Help us to begin the morning hours with this knowledge and this assurance so that we may be strong and courageous for whatever conflicts of the spirit it may be ours to wage today. May Thy kingdom come more perfectly in our own hearts and throughout the world this day. As we grow in years, may we grow in the beauty of holiness and may the approving smile of God atone for the passing of the years.

In the days of prosperity may we not forget Thee, and in the days of affliction we know that Thou wilt not forget us.

Grant us grace to live the life of the righteous that we may be well assured our last end shall be like His. And when Thou dost call us home; be it in the morning, in the noon-day, or beneath the rays of the setting sun of old age, may Thy hand sustain us and comfort us and lead us through the valley of the shadow until we awaken in the splendor of Thine own everlasting morning beyond the grave.

And Thine shall be the praise and the glory through Christ our Lord. Amen"